Identification
A large pale pelican with pinkish legs, bare pink facial skin and strong dark flight feathers. Young birds are much browner than adults.
When to look
Northern populations migrate, while movement patterns differ elsewhere. In Romania, seasonal conditions determine where feeding flocks can be watched.
Where to look
Extensive shallow lakes, lagoons, marshes and deltas supply fishing water, with secure wetland areas needed for nesting and resting.
Behaviour and ecology
Food and nutrition
Fish are the main food. Birds often fish together, gathering prey before scooping it from the surface.
Breeding and life cycle
It nests on low ground or plant material in colonies, favouring sites relatively inaccessible to ground predators.
A closer look
Cooperative fishing can form a broad arc of birds moving together. This behaviour is worth watching patiently rather than interrupting for a closer picture.
Global conservation assessment
LC · Least Concern
Global category recorded from the linked assessment; it does not describe local abundance. Least Concern does not mean absence of threats.
View the source assessment ↗Observation and photography
Observe normal fishing movements from a settled boat or distant bank. Keep out of colonies and do not push a flock towards the shore.
Sources and further reading
Keep a distance that allows birds to feed and rest normally. Do not enter colonies, approach nests, flush roosts or use playback for photographs. Never publish precise nest locations of sensitive species. Follow reserve rules and your guide's advice.